Top Costa Rica Car Tours in 2026

One of the most popular activities in La Fortuna, a guided hanging bridges tour is a fool-proof way to spot wildlife and learn more about the Costa Rican rain forest. This nighttime hanging bridges tour in Mistico Park puts a twist on the classic excursion by introducing you to the forest's nocturnal residents, such as honey bears, barn owls, and over 4,500 species of nocturnal butterflies (twice the number of daytime butterflies!). This tour includes pickup and drop-off from some centrally located La Fortuna hotels.

1- Private and new minivan transportations just for the travelers of the tour. 2- Profesional guides with equipment like telescopy and binoculars for the travelers. 3- It is not a tour, It is a experience for locals, we have more than 25 years of leaving on La Fortuna.

Head to La Fortuna, home to the Arenal Volcano, on this guided all-day tour from San Jose. Sit back and relax as you travel through diverse plantations and cattle ranches on the roughly 3.5-hour drive. After arriving, enjoy lunch with a view of the volcano. Then, take a dip in the area’s thermal waters and indulge in an optional massage or other treatment.

Wildlife enthusiasts will love touring the Costa Rican rainforests by rafting down the Corobici River. With a small group of like-minded travelers, you’ll float down the river on the lookout for sloths, tree frogs, crocodiles, and many varieties of birds. You’ll get a different perspective of the jungle that many travelers miss.

Experience the beauty of La Fortuna from above during this extensive zipline tour. Don your gear and climb an 18-meter tower, fly over canyons and treetops on seven extreme ziplines including a 980-meter cable, and take in views of the Arenal and Cerro Chato Volcanoes. Complete the adventure by crossing a hanging bridge over La Fortuna waterfall and admire the jungle views.

Combine two outdoor activities on this all-day guided tour from La Fortuna. First, fly above the treetops with a ziplining canopy tour through the rainforest. Following that, go on a whitewater rafting trip, navigating Class 3 and 4 rapids. Your guides will choose from several different river runs, depending on the conditions. The tour also includes lunch at an organic farm.

Combine two great experiences into one with this convenient small-group tour of the Manuel Antonio area. Begin the trip by visiting a cacao plantation to learn about the process of making chocolate, as well as its place in Costa Rica’s culture. Once night falls, it’s time for a walking tour in the jungle to try and spot various wildlife, such as tree frogs, snakes, and other nocturnal creatures.

Jungle Crocodile Safari on the Tarcoles River Cruise along the Tarcoles River, one of the best places in Costa Rica to safely observe massive American crocodiles in their natural habitat. ✔ See crocodiles, iguanas, and exotic birds like scarlet macaws and herons ✔ Safe, comfortable covered boat with bilingual naturalist guide ✔ Perfect for wildlife photography and birdwatching Carara National Park Nature Walk Explore the transition zone between dry and humid tropical forest — a hotspot for biodiversity. ✔ Easy guided walk through the forest trails ✔ Opportunities to spot monkeys, toucans, coatis, butterflies, and more ✔ Learn about the unique flora and fauna of this ecological bridge Puntarenas Coastal Highlights Enjoy a relaxed scenic drive through Puntarenas town, including: ✔ Lighthouse & Paseo de los Turistas ✔ Local fruit stands or souvenir shops ✔ Photo stops at panoramic viewpoints

Get deep inside Venado Caves at Arenal Volcano National Park, which are 15-20 million years old! This 1.5 hour tour of the caves takes you to an underground river where you’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, marine fossils, bats, spiders, and crickets! You’ll get wet and muddy when you explore, so keep that in mind!

Go off-roading while riding next to a friend on a UTV tour along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Depart from Playa Flamingo or Tamarindo after a safety briefing and driving instruction from your guide. Cruise along dirt tracks that run through jungle and streams where you might spot wildlife such as monkey, birds, and iguanas. Suitable for all levels of experience, this tour offers an exhilarating way to discover Guanacaste.

visit to the coffee plantation then to the production and professional demonstration building, presentation of the history and culture of coffee in Costa Rica

Tabacon Hot Springs is considered one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Costa Rica, and visiting the natural thermal pools is even more relaxing on a guided tour. Transportation, meals, and entrance fees are already included so you don't need to plan a thing, plus a guide is by your side to share information and answer any questions throughout the day.

Explore the Nicoya Península and Curu National Wildlife Refuge with this private guided tour from Santa Teresa. Visit secluded beaches and walk along nature trails to see all manner of wildlife that calls the reserve home. Your naturalist guide is there to help you spot creatures that range from howler monkeys and scarlet macaws to iguanas and coati. This private tour requires a minimum of two people.

When your cruise ship docks on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, don't waste time making your own way between its highlights. Maximize your time and spend a half day exploring local culture and the wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero with this private shore excursion from Limon. Spot famous rainforest residents on a river boat cruise, and learn about Costa Rica's banana and coffee industries with a visit to the Chiquita Banana plantation and a village market.

Voyage through the rich wetlands ecosystem of Palo Verde National Park on this full-day tour from Tamarindo or Papagayo Bay. Look for monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and other wildlife on a cruise down the Tempisque River — also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Later, explore the area’s culture and cuisine with a homemade lunch and handicraft demo in the artisan town of Bolson.

deal for travelers short on time, this full-day tour visits both Manuel Antonio National Park and a chocolate plantation in one day from Quepos—and has the added bonus of including a break for lunch (own expense) or beach time in between. Check out wildlife and resident sloths at the national park in the morning, take a scheduled break, and learn all about the process of transforming cacao beans to chocolate in the afternoon.

Take a trip to the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park on a small-group tour. This park is known for its great surf, picturesque scenery, and abundance of flora and fauna. Choose your own activity for the day such as sunbathing, snorkeling, trekking or surfing—equipment is available to rent—and enjoy the beauty of the park. This tour is inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and park entrance tickets.

First we will stop at Llanos de Cortez Waterfalls, where with almost no walk this crystal clear water will welcome every member of the family. Then, an adventurous hike to the Heaven on the Water. Rio Celeste has a unique celestial blue color produced naturally due a fusion reaction released by the Tenorio Volcano. And finally, the Sloths, Frogs and Toucans Sanctuary. An immersive walk into the rain forest where you will encounter the abundance and beauty of its flora and fauna.

We will visit the sanctuary of the white-faced capuchin monkeys, the most intelligent species of monkeys in the new world. Our visit will be safe and informative for everyone, from children to adults. We’ll learn about their family organization, alphas, and betas, and how to calculate their age. During these tours people are not allowed to touch the animals, but animals if they feel comfortable allowed to touch people. They are still wild animals and we are not violating their habitat. We don't allowed to feed them as well We’ll then see the crocodiles of Rio Grande de Tarcoles and enjoy the local souvenir sale and a buffet-style restaurant. We can choose to admire the crocodiles from the bridge or take a boat tour for an extra $43. The boat tour lasts approximately 1:40 minutes and includes bird watching and a naturalist guide. We’ll then go to a hidden beach in Jaco to see the sloths. We’ll sit on chairs, have a table, and I’ll serve drinks and snacks.

A fascinating experience for foodies and culture lovers alike, this chocolate experience takes you into an indigenous village where you’ll learn about Bribri culture. You’ll learn all about their community and lifestyle from your guide. A tasty part of the visit includes an overview of the chocolate making process during which you’ll also have the opportunity to make your own chocolate pieces. End your tour with a swim at a nearby waterfall.

Discover one of Costa Rica’s most popular animals, the sloth, on this tour from La Fortuna. Join a small group and take a hike through secondary rain forest to search for these friendly creatures. Learn about the mammal from your guide and keep your eyes peeled for other fauna and flora.

Navigate the waters of Lake Gatun, an essential part of the Panama Canal, as enormous ships pass in the distance and the tropical jungle pushes through the islands that emerged after the lake's creation. In Monkey Island we will look for three species of primates: white-faced capuchin monkeys, Geoffroy's tamarins, and howler monkeys, whose powerful calls are often heard through the forest. During the tour we will also be able to find tropical birds, iguanas, crocodiles, and other animals in their natural habitat. But this experience goes far beyond observing monkeys. Your bilingual local guide will help you interpret the landscape and discover how the construction of the Canal transformed ancient valleys of the Chagres River into an extraordinary ecosystem of islands surrounded by the waters of Lake Gatun. Our small groups allow for a more personal, quiet, and close to nature experience. Nature, history, and engineering meet in one place: the Panama Canal.

Spend the day in the shadow of the massive Arenal Volcano on this full-day, guided tour that includes trekking over the jungle canopy on suspension bridges and a soak in the volcano’s natural hot springs. Witness lava flowing (nighttime only) and see vegetation from the canopy the Mistico Arenal Hanging Bridges Park before settling in for a soak in the thermal hot spring waters.

Thrill-seeking travelers who love the outdoors don’t need to choose between adventure activities, as this half-day combo tour includes ziplining, rappelling, and soaking in relaxing thermal waters after. Soar over and rappel into the Arenal River Canyon on a series of ziplines and platforms, looking out for the birds and wildlife of the rainforest along the way. No experience with these activities is required.